With its fair share of rustic cowboy culture and longstanding dude ranches, it’s fair to say that Wyoming is rich in delightfully hearty fare. Experience flavors around the state—from the iconic to the innovative—at these must-taste spots.
1. Rock Springs – Bitter Creek Brewing
Kick back with a pint of craft beer at Bitter Creek Brewing in Rock Springs. Unwind with some friends and a round of craft beers made onsite at this family-friendly brewpub, where the rotating tap list features year-round staples and seasonal selections, from the summery Sweetwater Wheat to the wintry Coal Porter. Discover more Wyoming breweries at TravelWyoming.com/itineraries/brewery-tour.
2. Jackson – Local Restaurant & Bar
Savor local ingredients at farm-to-table hotspot Local Restaurant & Bar in Jackson. Ranched beef and in-season produce are the focus at this American steakhouse in Jackson’s historic town square, where you can enjoy anything from buffalo-short-rib pasta—made from scratch, naturally—to local Lockhart Cattle Co. steak tartare.
3. Laramie – Sweet Melissa Cafe
Refuel with healthy fare at Sweet Melissa Cafe in Laramie. After a day of outdoor adventures, give your body some good eatin’ at this vegetarian cafe with fresh salads, hearty soups and wholesome sandwiches piled high with everything from pickled daikon radish to grilled pineapple. We recommend the seitan banh mi or portobello reuben.
4. Lander – Cowfish
Experience the best of land and sea at Cowfish in Lander. Fill up on New American cuisine at this cozy gastropub, where ahi tuna sashimi, beer-battered shrimp, center-cut filet and coffee-rubbed ribeye grace the menu. They also have unique and delicious deserts. While you’re here, be sure to sample a few craft brews from the adjacent Lander Brewing Co.
5. Sheridan – Frackelton’s
Recount the day’s adventures over a fine supper at Frackelton’s in Sheridan. Specialties like coffee and chili-rubbed ribeye with gorgonzola mashed potatoes, scallops seared in brown butter and lemon, and triple-chocolate mousse cake make for the perfect finale to a day of sightseeing.
6. Pinedale – Pitchfork Fondue Western Cookout
Eat under wide-open skies at Pitchfork Fondue Western Cookout in Pinedale. Dine in the great outdoors like a true cowboy at this only-in-Wyoming experience offered Thursdays through Saturdays. Bring the whole family and feast on wood-fired meat and veggies paired with homemade fondue sauces as you take in panoramic views of the Wind River Mountains.
7. Gillette – Pizza Carrello
Refuel with wood-fired pie at Pizza Carrello in Gillette. With options like The Dazzle Berry—garlic-infused olive oil, fresh mozzarella, house-made ricotta, smoked ham, spicy arugula and jalapeño-raspberry compote—Pizza Carrello is beloved for its deliciously innovative pizzas.
8. Cody – Irma Hotel’s Buffet
Fill up on a Western-style buffet at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel in Cody. Built by the legendary Buffalo Bill in 1902, the historic Irma Hotel is a time portal into the Old West. Stop by the onsite restaurant for its famous summertime buffet, with favorites like slow-roasted prime rib, oysters Rockefeller, pasta and sweet potato cake.
9. Chugwater – Chugwater Soda Fountain
Pair a bowl of Chugwater Chili with a handmade soda at Chugwater Soda Fountain. Stop by the oldest operating soda fountain in Wyoming for an old-fashioned soda, malt or milkshake—which come in more than 30 flavors like toasted marshmallow and black cherry—and enjoy it with a bowl of famous Chugwater Chili.
10. Cheyenne – Bunkhouse Saloon & Steakhouse
Find innovative twists on your comfort classics at The Metropolitan Downtown in Cheyenne. This upscale restaurant has a polished casual atmosphere that elevates your everyday dining. From classic steakhouse dishes to Italian bison pasta their menu is continually evolving to provide unique and flavorful combinations.
11. Dubois – Cowboy Cafe
Kick off the day with a breakfast skillet at Cowboy Cafe in Dubois. Make your morning a good one with a piping hot cup of coffee and a loaded-up skillet like the Back Country: ham and sausage smothered in country gravy with two eggs, cheeses, cowboy potatoes and toast. You also can’t go wrong with any dish that comes with their spicy elk or smoked bison sausage.
12. Hulett – Ponderosa Cafe
Dig into a Wyoming-raised beef burger at Ponderosa Cafe in Hulett. Step inside an Old West-style saloon for some stick-to-your-ribs fare, from chicken-fried steak and grilled pork chops to bone-in ribeye steaks and hefty burgers served with crinkle-cut fries.
13. Casper – Racca’s Pizzeria Napoletana
Opt for a brunch pizza at Racca’s Pizzeria Napoletana in Casper. You can’t go wrong with any of the pies on their brunch menu, but the Firenze—with pancetta, arugula, tomatoes, fresh-cracked eggs and mozzarella—is divine. The modern Italian bistro also serves up delicious Italian fare for lunch and dinner.
Discover more dining in Wyoming here.
